Hoyer Statement on HHS Report on Premiums and Competition in Health Insurance Marketplaces

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement in response to a new report by the Department of Health and Human Services that consumers will see increased competition in the Health Insurance Marketplaces and that premiums will be lower than originally expected:

“Today’s report by the Department of Health and Human Services makes it clear that the health insurance exchanges created under the Affordable Care Act will lower costs for consumers and offer a range of choices for Americans seeking quality health care. With premiums shown to be about 16% lower than previously anticipated, the Affordable Care Act continues to yield savings and outperform expectations.

“It is a shame that Congressional Republicans continue to obsess over repealing or defunding the Affordable Care Act and removing the protections it affords patients and consumers. Having already wasted forty-two votes trying to undo the health reform that Congress passed, the President signed, and the Supreme Court upheld, Republicans are now threatening to shut down the government and risk a default on our debt if their demand to dismantle the Affordable Care Act is not met. This is a disturbing and unprecedented placement of partisan politics above the safety and well-being of our nation.

“I strongly urge the Republican leadership in both the House and Senate to reject this extreme position and instead work across the aisle with Democrats to make sure the Affordable Care Act is implemented effectively and that we can achieve a balanced solution to deficits that will put our nation back on a sound fiscal path.”